“I have taken a great deal of pleasure reading them over when I was lonesome and sad”

Camp near Potomac Creek VA

Thursday [should be Tuesday], April 14, 1863

Dear Wife,

We are on the move. We have got orders to start tomorrow with eight days rations. I am well at present and hope these few lines will find you the same. Where we are going is more than I can tell. It is thought by most of the men that we are going across the River again. Anyway, we are going to fight somewhere. The Cavalry has been on the move for two days past. They say they are going across the river. I won’t write much this time for I haint got much faith that I will have a chance to send it. It will be by luck and chance.

I have sent all your letters back for they was too much for me to carry. If we did not have to march I would not send them anyway. I have taken a good deal of pleasure in reading them over when I was lonesome and sad. Mr. England took them. He has been down to see his sons. He starts for home tomorrow morning. He keeps a shoe store on Genesee Street. Our paymaster was here this morning but did not pay us off.

Dear Clara, keep up good faith and courage and may God bless you and my little ones. And now when I am going to sleep I will pray for you and that God will soon reunite us. Tell my sister Mally I have just received a letter from her and I will write her as soon as convenient. Dear Clara, I can not get my picture taken as you wished because there is no place to take them, although I should like above all things to see yours and the children’s. Now Tom has got to take his gun and go with us but I don’t think he can stand it long. I guess this is all now, Dearest One. God in his mercies watch over you all. Give my love to mother and father and all the rest and if God spares me I will write soon again.

From your loving husband until Death,

Sergeant Peter. L. Dumont

Co A 146 Regt.

N.Y.S.V.

A kiss to all of you